Blandfordia grandiflora
Encyclopedia
Blandfordia grandiflora is a species of flowering plant native to south-eastern Australia. B. grandiflora is commonly known as the Large Christmas Bell because it generally flowers in December and January. For this same reason it is the Australian Native Birthflower of December. It is a perennial herb, and has tubular, bell-shaped flowers. It is one of only four Blandfordia species. Most people agree that of the Blandfordia plants B. grandiflora is the best for decoration.
and named them, although it is thought that he did not name the plant we consider today to be B. grandiflora . The name Blandfordia came from the "Marquis of Blandford" and the name grandiflora means "large flowered" . Of the four types of species of Blandfordia, grandiflora is considered the most robust, so the name grandiflora suits the plant. At one time, B. grandiflora went by the name B. flammea . Although B. grandiflora is only native to Australia, in the nineteenth century, many botanists grew it in Great Britain because it can easily be grown in potted plants .
and Queensland
have the sandy soil necessary for B. grandiflora to grow. In order for B. grandiflora to grow, the soil should be light and well-drained and B. grandiflora should not be in direct sunlight or in heavy shade. B. grandiflora is a very slow growing plant, so more aggressive plants easily swamp it in the wild .
, and the family Blandfordia . It is considered to be an herb
(a seed-producing perennial that does not develop woody tissue, but at the end of a growing season, dies down) but does not have any medical significance .
B. grandiflora is a grass-like plant with narrow leaves and tubular, bell shaped flowers . Most of the flowers are red with yellow tips, although it is possible to see an all-yellow flower as well. The flowers grow in clusters of six or more flowers at the top of the stem. The flowers grow to be 5 centimeters in length . The stems are 30 to 60 centimeters long, although another description suggests that the flowering stems (scapes) usually grow up to 80 cm in length but can reach 175cm. B. grandiflora is currently considered an endangered species according to the Queensland government, but it is a very popular potted plant, so it should survive even if in captivity .
or sperm . Self-fertilization is not synonymous with self-pollination(can achieve pollination without and external pollinator) which means that B. grandiflora is still dependent on external pollinators. The flowers produce nectar which attracts honey-eating birds to B. grandiflora. After three months of flowering, the seeds ripen. The seeds are contained in papery pods. B. grandiflora is a slow germinating plant, so the seeds will take a long time to grow .
History
There are only four types of Blandfordia plants . In 1810, Robert Brown collected samples of B. grandiflora from near the Hunter River in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and named them, although it is thought that he did not name the plant we consider today to be B. grandiflora . The name Blandfordia came from the "Marquis of Blandford" and the name grandiflora means "large flowered" . Of the four types of species of Blandfordia, grandiflora is considered the most robust, so the name grandiflora suits the plant. At one time, B. grandiflora went by the name B. flammea . Although B. grandiflora is only native to Australia, in the nineteenth century, many botanists grew it in Great Britain because it can easily be grown in potted plants .
Growth
B. grandiflora grows well in sandy soils. The wet coastal heaths of Australia, such as, New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
have the sandy soil necessary for B. grandiflora to grow. In order for B. grandiflora to grow, the soil should be light and well-drained and B. grandiflora should not be in direct sunlight or in heavy shade. B. grandiflora is a very slow growing plant, so more aggressive plants easily swamp it in the wild .
Classification and Size
B. grandiflora belongs to the class LiliaceaeLiliaceae
The Liliaceae, or the lily family, is a family of monocotyledons in the order Liliales. Plants in this family have linear leaves, mostly with parallel veins but with several having net venation , and flower arranged in threes. Several have bulbs, while others have rhizomes...
, and the family Blandfordia . It is considered to be an herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
(a seed-producing perennial that does not develop woody tissue, but at the end of a growing season, dies down) but does not have any medical significance .
B. grandiflora is a grass-like plant with narrow leaves and tubular, bell shaped flowers . Most of the flowers are red with yellow tips, although it is possible to see an all-yellow flower as well. The flowers grow in clusters of six or more flowers at the top of the stem. The flowers grow to be 5 centimeters in length . The stems are 30 to 60 centimeters long, although another description suggests that the flowering stems (scapes) usually grow up to 80 cm in length but can reach 175cm. B. grandiflora is currently considered an endangered species according to the Queensland government, but it is a very popular potted plant, so it should survive even if in captivity .
Reproduction
B. grandiflora is a self-fertilizing plant. This means that fertilization of the plant can be achieved by its own pollenPollen
Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...
or sperm . Self-fertilization is not synonymous with self-pollination(can achieve pollination without and external pollinator) which means that B. grandiflora is still dependent on external pollinators. The flowers produce nectar which attracts honey-eating birds to B. grandiflora. After three months of flowering, the seeds ripen. The seeds are contained in papery pods. B. grandiflora is a slow germinating plant, so the seeds will take a long time to grow .